Duchess Kate wears lace Temperly to War Horse Premiere

William and Kate attended the premiere of Steven Speilberg's 'War Horse' in London's Leicester Square, in aid of The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry. (Kate is also a patron of the foundation but her name has not been officially added) The highly anticipated premiere will also be attended by six hundred serving and ex serving military personnel and their families.

Pop Sugar

'War Horse' is a drama set during World War I. Following 'Albert' who enlists to service after his beloved horse, Joey, is sold to the cavalry. Albert's journey takes him across Europe as the war worsens. I've heard despite the grim plot it is has quite a happy ending. The movie adaptation follows on from the success of the play which debuted at the National Theatre on London's South Bank in 2007. Coincidentally Prince William went to school with star of the movie Tom Hiddleston at Eton.

Director Steven Speilberg said


'I'm delighted that the premiere is in aid of the royal brothers' foundation. War Horse encapsulates for me a timeless personal story of courage. We are honoured to dedicate this event in aid of the Foundation which recognises the welfare of those who serve their country in the British Great Armed Forces'.

The young royals had to share the spotlight with a very special star, Twelve year old American thoroughbred Joey :) Interestingly St James' Palace confirmed that Kate is *not* allergic to horses. This rumour had been circulating for years.

Joey even had his PR people with him :)

It was also announced that Kate is to become honorary colonel of the Princess of Wales royal regiment. It's nice to see Kate following on from Diana in that respect and William, Kate and Harry will be supporting the recently created Forces in mind trust. A charity which will offer to support to men and women after leaving the forces. As a military wife this is a cause close to Kate's heart.

The couple met with guests and dignitaries before the movie began. After the screening of the movie Steven Speilberg said Kate had been moved to tears during the movie and he passed her a kleenex.

Duchess Kate looked simply beautiful in a floor length Temperly black and nude lace gown. The long sleeve floral dress compliments Kate's tall, slender frame. After Kate's fashion triumph at The Millies she chose black again. We also see Kate favouring lace which is undoubtedly one of her favourites given the number of times she's worn lace dresses in the past year.

While a number of dresses from previous Temperly collections resemble Kate's, none are exactly like the dress she's wearing. It is thought the dress is bespoke or a custom made version of The Temperly 3/4 length dress. (With thanks to Kate's wardrobe and Kate Middleton style blog) The lace detail is identical.

One similar dress is the Magdalena. The long lace dress features a scoop neck and a hidden back zip with tonal and contrast ribbon appliques throughout. It's available for $795.

Kate is wearing a skinny black belt with a bow in the centre. She wore a very similar belt with her Luisa Spagnoli suit when she visited St Andrews. (With thanks to Alisha)

Kate carried her favourite black bow suede clutch by Mascaro and wore her diamond bracelet with matching earrings and sapphire engagement ring too.

From what we can see of Kate's shoes (which isn't a lot) I think it's safe to assume she is wearing the Jimmy Choos Cosmic Shoes she wore to the millies.

A better look at the black pumps.

And let's not forget the accessory of the night, the Bubble Umbrella. It is available in a variety of colors for $18. (With thanks to Andrea)

At midnight Kate will turn 30. What do you give a Duchess? Well little brother James reportedly gave Kate an adorable spaniel puppy called 'Elsa'. Wishing Kate another year of happiness, joy, love and a very

Happy Birthday!

sources (getty images, sky news, daily mail, daylife.com,)

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Kate Hosts Barbecue For Scouts, Photographed Shopping at Turnell and Gigon, Temperly Amoret + More

Good evening Duchess Kate readers,


I have a number of stories to share with you tonight. Kate privately volunteers with the Scouts in Anglesey, although it's not one of her patronages it appears to be a role she enjoys and takes very seriously. Last night the Duchess had a treat in store for the scouts.....

@iamleecrimes Twitter

Kate hosted a barbecue on a beach in Anglesey yesterday evening where she cooked burgers for the children aged about eight years old. A source told the Daily Express

'The Duchess arranged and hosted an evening of activities that took place on a beach in Anglesey. They did some crabbing and gutting fish. She was teaching them how to do things like that. And she did a barbecue'.

Lee Crimes stepbrother attended the barbecue and he was a little disappointed not to have been there himself :)

@iamleecrimes Twitter

Kate works incredibly well with children, so much so the press have started calling her 'The Children's Princess' . It sounds like last nights barbecue was a delightful evening. No photos thus far but I'll update should any surface.

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The owner of the wonderful Princess Diana Frances Tumblr  blog shared a scan from Australia's New Idea magazine featuring a photo of Kate shopping earlier this month. 

Princess Diana Frances Tumbler/Australia's New Idea

The Duchess perfected casual chic in a cream sweater, black pants and her Mulberry Polly Push Lock  bag. She wore her hair half up half down and carried an umbrella (I'm afraid the British summer has been rather disappointing this year)

Mulberry

Kate was carrying a bag from fabrics store Turnell and Gigon. Perhaps Kate was shopping for the couples apartment at Kensington? 

Turnell and Gigon

The store holds the prestigious Royal Warrant and distributes a collection called Clarence House (It doesn't get much more royal than that) which features hand screen-printed fabrics and wallpapers.

Turnell and Gigon

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Last Tuesday, Prince William gave Prince Charles a tour of RAF Valley. William was excused from duty while he showed Charles the logistic and supplies rooms.

British Monarchy Flickr

Charles and Camilla were on their annual trip to Wales and the impromptu visit to RAF Valley gave Camilla a chance to catch up with Kate for tea.

Mark Stewart Twitter

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Good news for the 'Repli-Kate's' among you! I'm sure you all recall the beautiful black lace Temperly gown Kate wore to the War Horse premiere in January.....

It is now available to buy and is named the Temperly Amoret (With thanks to What Kate Wore) It  is selling for $2,520 here and is described as

''A statuesque lace gown trimmed with scalloped eyelash edges. A curved seam lends elegant movement to the skirt, and a feminine bow accents the removable crepe belt. The back closes with a hidden zip and a buttoned keyhole. Sheer 3/4 sleeves. Contrast slip-dress lining. 35% cotton, 17% polyamide, 48% viscose; Lining 100% Silk'.

Temperly

A closer look at the lace detail.

Temperly

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I was reading the news on the Mail Online when I saw an article titled Duchess of Cambridge's Extreme Makeover'. Using the new interactive M&S beauty counter the Daily Mail team decided to give Kate a makeover......

Daily Mail/M&S

Kate generally opts for Kohl eyeliner and a nude lip. I do not think the colourful lip and eye make up shown below is a look Kate will be trying publicly any time soon :) What do you think? If you would like to try the virtual makeover counter yourself please click here.

Daily Mail/M&S

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Finally, a solo engagement for Kate next Thursday combining her roles as patron of the National Portrait Gallery and Olympic ambassador.

Clarence House Twitter

Thank you for reading.

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Kate to team up with the Queen, Grey hair rumours, how she's coming of age and More

In exciting news it is being widely reported Kate will team up with the Queen for a series of royal engagements next month. With William's upcoming trip to the Falklands I had feared we wouldn't be seeing the Duchess during that time. A royal source said

'This is a sign of how close the Queen and her new granddaughter in law have become. Her Majesty is extremely fond of Catherine and wants to do all she can to support her in what is an important year'.


The pair teamed up earlier last summer to open the exhibition at Buckingham Palace.

Duchess Kate is always in the news whether it's discussing an upcoming engagement or a truly ridiculous rumour spreading like wildfire across the tabloids. However some very fine pieces have been written about Kate in the press in the last couple of days (equally some not so complimentary), I would like to share one of the stories and insights with you. Beginning with a story by the Daily Mail  entitled 'How Kate is coming of age'.


The article begins with the usual ageist remark one can expect from a tabloid Rarely can a woman facing 30 truly say her life is just becoming. It's one of those milestones made more bearable by a stiff gin and tonic'. In Kate's case this is certainly not the case as I am quite sure it's going to be another wonderful year for the Duchess. It goes on to discuss the fact that Kate is supposedly using organic hair dye to hide onset grey hairs and how Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (and the media) are beginning to refer to her as 'Duchess Doolittle' because she only undertook 34 engagements this year. I do think referring to the future Queen in that manner is quite terrible. Kate has performed each royal duty she has been asked to with ease, grace and poise. It is obviously the Queen's decision to ease her in slowly. 

It also reports that while William is away in the Falklands, Kate will use this time to launch herself into solo work. 'It's a natural moment for her to step out on her own'. I enjoyed the personal insights included in the post. Kate does all the cooking for her and William and her own grocery shopping. (In Waitrose on Kensington High Street) She has continued to refuse the offer of a dresser, stylist or lady in waiting.

 However William has eleven people in his office and Kate has had help from there. Twenty something Rebecca Deacon has been working for William and Harry since 2007. Since the engagement she has been assisting Kate. Introducing her to right people, carrying flowers, holding her handbag etc. The couple also have a private secretary. 

Despite her high profile role, Kate is still eager to live a normal life. Looking forward to a quiet low key celebration with family on friends for her birthday. One source said 

'She just loves being William's wife. It's as simple as that'.


I couldn't think of a better summary of Kate.

I found this piece quite interesting too, Ten Ways Kate Has Changed Our Lives, including pulling on a pair of tights and frugal fashion :)


I'm very excited to see what Kate wears to the 'War Horse' premiere today. Will she stick with the trusted McQueen, Packham, Temperly, Wakeley foursome or try someone new. I'm sure she will look stunning whatever she chooses.


On a side note, As I love blogging so much I've started a secondary blog, 'The Royal Digest'. Basically it will comprise of one daily post on the goings on of royalty around the world. However I will not be including William and Kate in it, (I'll be saving all the news for this blog as always :))


I'll see you all tomorrow night :)


sources (daily mail, the sun)

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Kate's 30th Birthday, party plans, send Kate a card and childhood photos.

Can you all believe Kate is turning 30 on Monday? I for one cannot. I've been following Kate's style and her relationship with William since the tender age of twelve, when Kate was a student at St. Andrews University. It's incredible to think how far they've come and I anticipate it will be another wonderful year for the Duchess. It's also a good time to look back on Kate's younger years.

Four year old blonde Kate pictured with her father and Pippa in Jordan.

Kate looking adorable aged six.

Kate attended St Andrew's prep school in pangbourne aged seven.

Celebrating a victory in the school hockey team.

Twelve year old Kate with braces attending a birthday party.

Fifteen year old Kate excelled at sport.

Kate studied science and art for her A levels.

Kate studied History of art at St Andrews where she met a very special guy :)

The Daily Mail have several more photographs in their article here.


We are interested to know how Kate will celebrate her birthday. According to Grazia, party planner Pippa and Prince Harry have some interesting ideas including an 80's bash. The party is set to include cocktails and karaoke. 
Royal reporter Richard Palmer heard Kate is planning a very low key celebration which is truthfully what I expected. Possibly a dinner with family and close friends? I would be more inclined to believe that it will be low key. However Kate chooses to celebrate I hope she has a wonderful time.

It's not too late to personally wish Duchess Kate a Happy Birthday, you may address you card too

It's going to be an interesting week, Sunday night William and Kate are attending the premiere of 'War Horse' and I expect Kate will be announcing which charities she wishes to support tomorrow. I will post as soon as news comes in. Hoping for new photos then :)


Sources (Daily Mail)

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